The Asian Football Confederation has unveiled a new trophy for January’s AFC U23 Championship showdown in Qatar.
Sixteen teams will challenge for the title and a trophy the design of which is based on the look and feel of traditional football cups.
Standing on a sturdy base, the design wraps around to convey the notion of an embracing and decidedly welcoming event.
To give an elevated feel, the handles are inspired by the fluid shapes in the competition’s official logo, and the trophy’s edges are also embellished with shapes of the tournament logo.
The trophy is produced in different finishes to enhance its movement and distinctly elegant form.
Meanwhile, the official logo for the AFC U23 Championship Qatar 2016 was also revealed.
The design of the logo is based on a rotating ball with five elements revolving around a star, something which ties in with the competition’s theme of the ‘Future Stars of the Game’.
The five elements within the ball turn and weave under each other to give a sense of movement and direction. These elements create a star which in turns gives an elevated and aspiring feeling.
The star is strategically positioned to show where Asia sits on a world map.
The five elements represent the five regions covered by the Asian Football Confederation - East, West, Asean, South and Central.